Peanut Gallery: September 5th ~ Mother Theresa ~ Missionaries of Charity ~ Day of Remembrance.
The video speaks for itself.
Lord change our hearts and make us wholly yours. Amen.
Thanks Terry for the reminder – check out her website here: 8kidsandabusiness.
Reading: Acts 28:30-31 NLT
For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father – thank you for faithful servants who keep on doing what you have called them to do… even under threat and danger to their own lives. Thank you especially for the witness and legacy of the Apostle Paul.
And thank you for for preachers and teachers around the world… who are “boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Strengthen them… and encourage them… and exceed all their hopes or expectations according to your power at work within them. To God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: “Holy Father Rich in Mercy” –Colin Webster & Phil Moore (Cornerstone Church, Nottingham)
____________________
Note: How did the Apostle Paul die? (biblestudy.org)
Q. How did the apostle Paul die? When was the apostle Paul’s death? Did he die in Rome?
A. The Bible does not tell us the exact time or manner of the apostle Paul’s death, and secular history has yet to provide us with any definitive information. However, evidence highly suggests the apostle Paul’s death occurred after his fifth missionary journey ended in 67 A.D. Paul was likely beheaded by the Romans, under Emperor Nero, sometime around May or June of 68 A.D. Nero himself died by suicide on June 9th of the same year.
Reading: Acts 28:23-28 NLT
So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures.
Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.
And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,
‘Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’
So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father – I confess that sometimes I hear what I want to hear and see what I want to see… and then convince myself that it’s all from you. Please forgive me… my closed mind… my hard heart… my prejudices… and my preconcieved notions. Lord Jesus – give me your mind… your heart… your obedience to submit to the will of the Father – like it or not. Holy Spirit – continue your transforming work in me… make the new creation that I am becoming a closer reality day by day. And may your Kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Hymn: “Be Still My Soul” – Kathrina von Schlegel; Translator: Jane L. Borthwick (1855)
Peanut Gallery: Pope Francis calls for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria. Mark your calendar – September 7th… and set aside time for prayer.
“There is a judgement of God and the judgement of history upon our actions, which is inescapable! Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War breeds war, violence breeds violence!”
Reading: Acts 28:17-22 NLT
Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”
They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Messiah: You are the hope of Israel… you are the only hope for this world!
All around us the hosts of evil asssail your people and scorn your name… deliver us from evil and free us from our fears… that we might sing your praise. Cure our warring madness… bend our pride to your will… and shame our wanton selfishness and poverty of soul. Save us from weak resignation to deplorable evils… set our feet on the path to eternal life… and arm us with your grace and power. (paraphrase ~ Harry E. Fosdick (1930)
May your Kingdom come… your will be done… on earth as it is in heaven… and especially in me. Amen.
Instrumental Music: “Hope of Israel” – Michael W Smith
